Furnace charging machine



1951 A. D. SMITH ETAL FURNACE CHARGING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 31, 1950 ATTORNEY Dec. 4, 1951 A. D. SMITH ETAL FURNACE CHARGING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1950 INVENTOR A. DEAN 601/7.

ATTORNEY Dec. 4, 1951 A. D. SMITH ET AL 2,57

FURNACE CHARGING MACHINE Filed Jan. 31, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 N r a; \J

Q m '5 a 99 g P: a g #3 J ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FURNACE CHARGING MACHINE poration of Delaware Application January 31, 1950, Serial No. 141,3 68

9 Claims.

This invention relates to loading machines, and more particularly to a charging machine for supplying a charge consisting of scrap metal or the like to a melting furnace.

In metal melting operations today it is the usual practice to feed the scrap metal or metal in the form of pig or ingot, as the case may be, directly to the furnace by hand. This practice has several disadvantages, and chiefly among them is that it is ifieflicient and hazardous. The furnace can be charged in only relatively small increments because of the limitations on the load which can be carried by laborers. The resulting increased loading time means that the charging door must remain open for a relatively long period of time. To offset this the charging door is reduced to a size permitting the loading of the hand-charge with a minimum of heat loss. At best such an arrangement is inefllcient. In addition, the laborers engaged in loading are subjected to the hazards of burns and other serious injuries to be expected upon exposure to thesevere conditions encountered in the furnace.

Mechanical loaders have been proposed but, no apparatus has been found which will overcome 'the above disadvantages and still represent an emcient, compact and conveniently operated piece of equipment.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention, to provide an efficient apparatus for charging a load of material to a particular location, as for example, a load of metal into a melting furnace.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a means for charging a furnace or the like where in large quantities of metal can be introduced in a single load or charge.

A further object of the invention is the provision of charging apparatus for introduci such substantial quantities of metal as will permit the redesign of melting furnaces to the extent that larger charging doors can be provided for the furnace for accommodation of the increased load without risk of excessive heat losses during charging.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a charging machine adapted for movement from one location to another within a given area so that it can serve the charging requirements for a battery of furnaces.

The above and other objects and advantages will be apparent from a review of the description set forth hereinbelow wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a charging machine for a melting furnace or the like, which is preferably mounted on wheels including a carriage movable along a track in front of a battery of furnaces, comprising a supporting framework, a charging skip mounted within the framework and adapted to pivot about an axis located on one side of the center line of the carriage, hydraulic means for actuating and pivoting the skip about the axis in an upward arcuate path thereby permitting the skip to discharge its contents into the furnace, a pusher plate pivotally mounted upon the supporting framework above the skip and adapted to be moved about anaxis located on the same side of the center line ofthe carriage as the pivotal axis of the skip and downward into the skip when the skip has been raised to a discharging position to thereby remove all of the contents of the skip, and common power means for operating the hydraulic means actuating the skip and for the carriage, if such is utilized to move the machine to and from the furnace or other discharge points.

Other objects, purposes and advantages of the instant invention will hereinafter more fully appear or will be understood from the following description of certain embodiments thereof during which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the chart;- ing machine;

Fig. 2 is horizontal elevational view of the machine showing the skip in its loading position in full lines and in its discharge position in dotted lines. The upper and lower positions of the pusher plate is also shown in full and dotted lines. The means for actuating the machine are shown in some detail in the partially broken away portion of the figure;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram disclosing one form of piping arrangement wherein common power means can be used for operating the loading skip, the pusher plate, the carriage upon which the apparatus is mounted.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings the charging machine is designed for movement from one furnace to another. Generally the machine so disclosed comprises as its principal components a carriage A, a truss-type supporting framework B, a charging and discharging skip or hopper and actuating means therefor C, a pusher plate and actuating meansvtherefor D, for facilitating discharge of the hopper, and control means E for actuating the carriage A, and which includes power means which also may be employed to actuate skip arrangement C and discharge hopper arrangement D.

The carriage arrangement A comprises a plurality of beam-like frames l arranged laterally and longitudinally with respect to each other and welded together at their ends to form a generally horizontally disposed rectangular frame or base. Axles 41 are mounted at opposite sides of the frame providedby members l0, and wheels H are mounted on the ends of axles 41 for travel along rails l2. Guard plates l are disposed at opposite sides of carriage A to reduce hazards in movement of the machine. Extending from the guard plates I! about the wheels I: on carriage A are guard brackets 5.

Rails I2 are embedded in the building floor l3 and are laid adjacent the opening It in one wall of the melting furnace IS. The location of these rails is substantially the same with respect to each furnace in a row.

Mounted upon carriage i0 is the superstructure, or truss-type supporting framework generally identified as supporting framework I6 comprising a plurality of horizontal beams I1 and I1, vertical beams I8 and I8 and diagonal or bracing beams l9 and I9. Located within framework It is a loading skip or hopper 20. At one extremity of the hopper 20, namely the discharging end a chute arrangement 2| may be constructed which will constitute a portion of and may be integral with the skip proper. The skip may also be so constructed as to have sides provided with a .plurality of structural reinforcing outer ribs 22 and 28.

-Ailixed to the discharge or chute end of the skip are a plurality of webs 24. The ends of these webs which are spaced from the skip are pivotally fastened to the upstanding members 30, which members are rigidly secured to the carriage i0 adiacent'the bases of the vertical beams l8. It

will be noted that the skip is thus adapted to .pivot about a relatively low axis, which axis is located on the side of the carriage closest to the furnace so that the skip will require a minimum amount of room for its swinging movement.

The skip is also provided with arched framework 28 fastened to the sides of the skip adjacent the upper edge of the chute 2| which serves as a.' guard or bumper to prevent the sides of the skip from bumping into or contacting the walls adjacent the furnace opening when the skip is raised to a-discharging position.

'- Hydraulic Jacks 92, the lower extremities of which are pivotally fastened to the base of carriage'llhaye extensible carrier arms or piston arms "8| pivotallyanlxed to opposite sides of the hopper 2| at pointslocated a substantial distance from the chute end of the hopper by means of ears 80 which extend outwardly therefrom.

Upon upward movement of the hydraulic jack piston' arms St the hopper, or skip 20 will be baused to-move in an upward, arouate-path to the proper 'discharg'e'position. The axis about which the lower extremities-of the hydraulic jacks 92 pivot is located onthe other side of the center line of the carriage from the pivotal axis of the 'skip thereby increasing the leverage power of the extensible arms 9|.- By reversing the directional movement of the hydraulic jacks after the charge has been supplied to the furnace, the skip can be lowered to its initial or receiving position.

Also mounted upon the carriage I0 is a control station or cab 26- 'forthe charging machine opera- 4 tor provided with the catwalk 21 leading thereto. A diesel engine 28 is located directly below the cab 28, and as will be more fully described hereinafter serves as the primary power plant or motivating force for operating the charging machine.

Cab 28 and diesel engine 28 are mounted on one end of the carriage It) in superposed rela tionship to one another, the lower built-up platform 3| supporting the diesel engine and the upper built-up platform 32 supporting the cab 26.

Also mounted upon lower platform 3| is a hydraulic constant delivery pump 33 which is driven by the diesel engine and a fuel oil tank 34 for the said engine.

Mounted on the opposite end of carriage from the diesel engine 28 is a hydraulic oil storage tank 35, the function of which will be described later.

A pusher plate or scraper 3B is pivotally mounted on the supporting frame l6 in a position above the skip 20 by means of a plurality of arm members 31, which arm members have end portions aillxed to a horizontal shaft 38 which in turn is journalled to the upper extremities of the vertical beams I8 by means of the bearing members 40 afllxed to the said beams.

These arm members are of a sufficient length to permit the pusher plate to rotate downward in a radial path conforming generally to the contour of the hopper bottom when the hopper is in its raised position so that the pusher plate can enter the upraised hopper and scrape the contents of the hopper into the furnace.

Rigidly attached to each extremity of shaft 38 is a gear segment 42. Racks 43 are mounted at each end of the framework, and are so afiixed to the secondary supporting frames 39 fastened to the several diagonal beams I 9' and vertical beams [8' that they engage the gear segments 42. These racks are secured to piston rods 44 adapted to reciprocate in the hydraulic cylinders 45 by means of the collars 44 slidable along the slots 45 in frames 39.

Upon proper actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 45 the racks can be activated downwardly to impart rotational movement to the gear segments 42. The gear segments aflixed to shaft 38 cause rotation of the shaft to thereby effect downward movement of the pusher plate 36 into the upraised hopper 20. By reversing the directional movement of the rack the pusher plate can be rotated upward to its initial, inactive position.

It will be noted that the pivotal axis for the hopper, as well as the pivotal axis for the pusher plate are both located on substantially the same side of the carriage l0 and on the side closest to the furnace. This permits operation of both of these elements in a minimum amount of space since the material to be charged to the furnace is picked up by the skip on one side of the machine and discharged into the furnace on the other side by having the skip move in an upward arcuate path across the carriage l0.

Furthermore by making this charging unit mobile it can be used to-charge a plurality of furnaces. The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates, therefore, that the charging machine be mobile and that it be mounted on a movable carriage which will operate on rails laid in the floor adjacent each furnace charging door. It is to be understood, however, that it is within the contemplation of the invention that the machine be mounted on the floor in a stationary manner.

The unit described herein is mounted on a movable carriage III, the wheels of which are driven by fluid motors 46 operatively connected to the hydraulic pump 88 driven by the diesel engine 28.

Although power need be supplied to only one set of wheels driven by a single fluid motor 46. an advantageous embodiment of the invention contemplates that there be a fluid motor for each set of wheels. Since the fluid motor for each set is similarly constructed and drives each set of wheels in the same manner, a description of the operationof one will sufllce for btoh.

The fluid motor 46, which can be of any suitable type well known in the art, is mounted in the lower part of the carriage l6 above the axle 41 to which the wheels H are connected. Fluid motor 46 operates to drive a shaft 48, which is operatively connected to second shaft 48 by means of flexible coupling 50. Shaft 49 in turn is connected to a suitable reduction gear mounted in the housing 6|, which latter gear (not shown) drives shaft 62 on which is mounted the spur gear pinion 63. .Spur gear pinion 68 meshes with spur gear 64 mounted on axle 41 thereby causing rotation of the axle and wheels ll mounted thereon. Axle 41 is journalled in suitable bearing members located in the bearing boxes 66 attached to' the underside of carriage l0.

As has been mentioned heretofore the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that the diesel engine 28 serve as the common power plant for operating the hydraulic jacks 92 which actuate the hopper 20, the hydraulic cylinders 45 which actuate the pusher plate 36 and the fluid motors 46 which drive the wheels upon which the carriage is mounted. However, separate power plants could be employed for individually operating the jacks 82, or cylinders 45 or fluid motors 45 without departing from the spirit of the invention, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that hydraulic jacks 92 be used to actuate hopper 20, cylinders 46 to actuate pusher plate 36, and fluid motors 46 to move the wheels, other mechanical means could also be used.

Figure 3 is. a schematic diagram showing one form of piping arrangement that can be used for operatively connecting the hydraulic jacks 92, cylinders 46 and fluid wheel motors 46 to the diesel engine 28.

As shown in Figure 3, the hydraulic pump 33, which is of a reversible type driven by the diesel engine 28, pumps fluid into the lead out or main conduit 60 whence it can be piped off into conduit 62 leading to the hydraulic cylinders 46 for operating the pusher plate, and/or into the conduit 64 leading to the hydraulic jacks 82 for operating the skip, or into the conduit 66 leading to the fluid motors for driving the wheels.

Lead back conduits 68, 10 and 12 allow the fluid in the lines to pass back to the pump through main lead back conduit 14 from hydraulic cylinders 46, hydraulic jacks 82 and the fluid motors 46.

By the proper placement of valves in the various conduits, which can be selectively opened and closed by the machine operator in the cab, the various operations of the machine, including the movement of the carriage along the track, hoisting of the hopper, and the actuation of the pusher plate, can be regulated.

For example, when movement of the carriage alone is desired valves 88 and 8| in conduits 62 and 68 can be closed, as well as valves 82 and 83 in conduits 64 and III. while valves 84, 86 and 88 are left open. when movement of the hydraulic Jacks 8! alone is desired all of the valves would be closed except valves 82, 88, and valve 86 in the main lead out conduit.

When movement of the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders 46 which control the movement of the pusher plate is desired-all the valves would be closed except valves 88 and 8|.

When it is desirable to have the pusher plate move downwardly simultaneously with the upward movement of the hopper 20, valves 84 and 86 would be closed while all the other valves would be open. In addition, means can also be provided for slowly or rapidly opening each of the valves in the system depending upon the specific results desired. For example, if simultaneous action of the pusher plate and hopper is desirable, valves and 8| could be so operated that fluid will enter the cylinders 46 at a slower rate than the hydraulic jacks 82. Tank 36 serves as a reservoir for the fluid used in this hydraulic system and is operatively connected to pump 88 by suitable conduits 81 and 88.

Operation of the machine is as' follows:

Scrap metal or the like is loaded into hopper 28 and the charging machine is brought into the correct charging position with respect to the furnace. hopper is hoisted to a discharging position by the hydraulic jacks. The hydraulic cylinders which actuate the pusher plate are then put into operation thereby causing the pusher plate to move downwardly along the hopper to scrape the material into the furnace.

After the scrap metal has been discharged, the pusher plate is retracted to its initial position and the hopper is lowered to its loading position. The machine is then ready for another cycle of loading and unloading, or for movement to another furnace for another cycle of operation.

This machine can advantageously be used in conjunction with the machine disclosed in the co-pending application entitled Loading Station.

Although the instant invention has been shown and described as particularly adapted for use in charging melting furnaces, it could also be used for various other purposes, for example, as a loader for loading various types of bulk material such as cement, grain, etc., into trucks, hopper cars or the like and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the instant invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the invention is not to be taken as limited except by the appended claims wherein what is claimed is- 1. Apparatus for charging scrap metal and the like to a melting furnace comprising in combination a truss-type supporting frame including vertically and horizontally disposed beams with diagonally arranged beams extending from said horizontal beams to said vertical beams, a hopper arranged at one end to receive the material and having a chute arrangement at its opposite end for discharging the contents of the hopper, web means connected integrally with the base of the hopper adjacent said chute arrangement and having a portion thereof pivotally connected to upstanding members adjacent the bases of the upright beams of the frame, a pair of extensible carrier arms disposed in pivotal arrangement at the base of said frame, each of said arms being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the hopper, means for actuating said extensible arms to thereby move said hopper through an arcuate The furnace door is opened and the path about an axis located at the point where said web means is connected to said upstanding members until the hopper assumes an angle suitable for discharge of the contents thereof, a positively actuated pusher plate pivotally connected to the top of the frame member by means of arm members of a length sufficient to permit the pusher plate to rotate upon actuation in a radial path conforming generally to the contour of the bottom of the hopper when the hopper is in its raised position to thereby facilitate discharge of the contents thereof, and adapted to return to its originalposition while the extensible arms return to theirloriginal positions to thereby cause the hopper-to retract into its original position.

'2. Apparatus for charging scrap metal and the like to a melting furnace comprising in combination a movable carriage, a truss-type frame mounted on. said carriage and including verticallyl and horizontally disposed beams with dia onally arranged beams extending from said horizontal meams to said vertical beams, a hopper for -receivi-ng the material to be charged and having a chute arrangement at one end for discharging its contents, web means connected integrally with the base of the hopper adjacent said chute arrangem'ent'and having a portion thereof, pivotallyiconnected to upstanding members adjacent the bases 'of the upright beams of the frame, a pair of-extensible carrier arms disposed in pivotalarrangementat the base of said frame, each of saidarms being pivotally connected to opposite sideso'f the hopper, means for actuating said extensible arms' to thereby move said hopper through an arcuate path about an axis located at a-p'oint where said web means is connected to said upstanding members until the hopper assumes an ngle suitable for discharge of the contents there- 'of, -'a positively actuated pusher plate pivotally connected to the topof the frame by means of arm members of' a length sufficient to permit the pusher plate to rotate upon actuation in a radial -path conforming generally to the contour of the hopper bottom when the hopper is in its raised position to thereby facilitate discharge of the contents thereof and adapted to return to its original position while the extensible arms return to their original positions to thereby cause the hopper, to retract into its original position, and means for moving said carriage including a plurality 'ofwheels driven by fluid motors.

-;Apparatus for charging scrap metal and the like to a melting furnace comprising in combinations: mobile carriage, a truss-type frame mounted onsaid. carriage and including vertically and horizontally dispcsed beams with diagonally arranged beams "extending from said horizontal beams to said vertical beams, a hopper for receivin'g-the'material to be charged and having a chute arrangement at one'end for discharging its connts; 'weblmeans integrally connected with the base of the'ho'pper adjacent said chute arrangemer t and having a portion thereof pivotally connected to upstanding members adjacent the bases of the upright beams of the frame, a plurality of extensible carrier arms disposed in pivotal arrangementat the base of said frame, each of said arms ,being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the hopper, hydraulic means for actuating said extensiblejarmsto thereby move said hopper through, an.'arcuate path about an axis located at the point where said web means is connected said upstanding'members until the hopper assumes an-angle suitable for discharge of the contentssrthereof," a hydraulically operated pusher plate pivotally connected to said frame above said hopper by means of arm members of a length sufflcien't to permit the pusher plate to rotate upon actuation in a radial path conforming generally to the contour of the hopper bottom when the hopper is in its raised position to thereby facilitate discharge of the contents thereof and adapted to return to its original position while the extensible arms return to their original positions to thereby cause the hopper to retract into its original position, means for moving said carriage including a plurality of wheels driven by a fluid motor and common power means including a motor and a pump for moving said hopper, said pusher plate and for actuating the fluid motor for said wheels.

4. Apparatus for charging scrap metal and the like to a melting furnace comprising in combination a truss-type frame, said frame including vertically and horizontally disposed beams with di= agonally arranged beams extending from said horizontal beams to said vertical beams, a hopper for receiving the material to be charged and having chute means at one end for discharging its contents, web means integrally connected with the base of the hopper adjacent said chute means and having a portion thereof pivotally connected to upstanding members adjacent the bases of the vertical beams of the frame, a plurality of extensible carrier arms disposed in pivotal arrangement at the base of said frame, each of said arms being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the hopper, means for actuating said extensible arms to thereby move said hopper through an arcuate path about an axis located at the point where said web means is connected adjacent said vertical beams until the hopper assumes an angle suitable for discharge of it's contents, a shaft journalled on said frame above said hopper, a pusher plate affixed to said shaft by means of arm members of a length suflicient to permit the pusher plate to rotate upon actuation in a downward radial path conforming generally to the contour of the hopper bottom when the hopper bottom is in its raised position to thereby facilitate discharge of the contents thereof and adapted to return to its original position while the extensible arms return to their original positions to thereby cause the hopper to retract into its original position and means for operating said pusher plate in-- cluding a gear segment affixed to the shaft on said frame, and hydraulically operated rack means engaging said gear segment so that upon actuation of said rack means said gear segment will rotate the shaft to which said pusher plate is connected thereby causing said plate to move downward into said hopper.

5. Apparatus for charging scrap metal and the like to a melting furnace comprising in combination a truss-type supporting frame including vertically and horizontally disposed beams with diagonally arranged beams extending from said horizontal beams to said vertical beams, a hopper arranged at one end to receive the material and having a chute arrangement at its opposite end for discharging the contents thereof, web means integrally connected with the base of the hopper adjacent said chute arrangement and having a portion thereof pivotally connected to upstanding members adjacent the bases of the upright beams of the frame for movement about an axis on one side of the center line of said frame, a plurality of extensible carrier arms disposed at the bases of the frame members for pivotal movement about an axis on the opposite side of the center line of said frame from the pivotal axis of said hopper, each of said arms also being pivotally connected to opposite sides of said hopper, hydraulic means-for actuating said extensible arms to thereby move said hopper in an arcuate path until the hopper assumes an angle suitable for discharging its contents, a positively actuated pusher plate pivotally mounted on said frame above said hopper by means of arm members of a length sufficient to permit said plate to rotate upon actuation in a radial path conforming generally to the contour of the hopper bottom when said hopper is in a raised position to thereby facilitate discharge of the contents thereof, and adapted to return to its original position while the extensible arms return to their original positions to thereby cause the hopper to retract into its original position.

6. A scrap charging machine for a melting furnace comprising the combination of a carriage movable along a track in front of the furnace, a supporting framework mounted upon said carriage, a charging skip mounted within said framework and adapted to pivot above an axis located on one side of the center line'of said carriage, hydraulic means for actuating and pivoting said skip about said axis in an upward arcuate path thereby permitting the skip to discharge its contents into the furnace, a pusher plate pivotally mounted upon said framework above said skip and adapted to be moved about an axis located on the same side of the center line of said carriage as the pivotal axis of said skip and downward into said skip when said skip has been raised to a discharging position to thereby remove all of the contents of said skip and common power means for operating said skip and for moving said carriage to and from said furnace.

7. A scrap charging machine for a melting furnace comprising the combination of a carriage movable along a track adjacent said furnace, a supporting framework mounted upon said carriage, a charging skip mounted within said framework and adapted to pivot about an axis located on one side of the center line of said carriage, means comprising a plurality of hydraulic Jacks for actuating and pivoting said skip about said axis in an upward arcuate path thereby permitting the skip to discharge its contents into the furnace, the ends of said jacks that are connected to the said framework being adapted for pivotal movement about an axis located on the opposite side of the center line of said carriage from the pivotal axis of said skip, a pusher plate pivotally mounted upon said framework above said skip for movement about an axis located on the same side of the center line of said carriage as the pivotal axis of said skip and downward into the skip when said skip has been raised to a discharging position to thereby remove all of the contents of said skip and means for operating said plate.

8. A scrap charging machine for a melting furnace comprising the combination of a carriage movable along a track adjacent said furnace, means for moving said carriage, a supporting framework mounted upon said carriage, a charging skip mounted within said framework and adapted to pivot about an axis located on one side of the center line of said carriage, hydraulic means for actuating and pivoting said skip about said axis in an upward arcuate path thereby permitting the skip to discharge its contents into the furnace, a pusher plate mounted upon said framework above said skip for pivotal movement about an axis located on the same side of the center line of said carriage as the pivotal axis of said skip and downward into the skip when said skip has been raised to a discharging position to facilitate removal of all of the contents of said skip, hydraulic means for operating said pusher plate, and common power means for activating both of said hydraulic means and the means for moving said carriage.

9. A scrap charging machine for a melting furnace comprising the combination of a carriage movable along a track adjacent said furnace, at supporting framework mounted upon said carriage, a charging skip mounted within said framework and adapted to pivot about an axis located on one side of the center line of said carriage, means including a plurality of hydraulic jacks for actuating and pivoting said skip about said axis in an upward arcuate path thereby permitting the skip to discharge its contents into the furnace, the ends of said jacks connected to the said framework being adapted for pivotal movement about an axis located on the opposite side of the center line of said carriage from the pivotal axis of said skip, a pusher plate mounted upon said framework above said skip for pivotal movement about an axis located on the same side of the center line of said carriage as the pivotal axis of said skip and downward into the skip when said skip has been raised to a discharging position to thereby remove all of the contents of said skip, hydraulic means for actuating said pusher plate, and common power means for operating both of said hydraulic means,

ARTHUR DEAN SMITH. GUSTAV C. KOBROW.

No references cited. 

